DHS announces "Operation Midway Blitz" in Chicago; Trump federalizing Illinois National Guard
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago area is seeing an increase in federal immigration enforcement.
President Donald Trump says the surge in immigration enforcement activity in the Chicago area is about getting dangerous criminals off the streets.
Some 300 federal agents are using North Chicago's Naval Station Great Lakes as the logistical hub for ramped-up operations.
Protesters and federal agents have continued to clash outside an ICE Processing Center in Broadview, Illinois.
ABC7 is tracking the latest news in the city and suburbs. Here are the latest developments.
On Monday, DHS announced "Operation Midway Blitz" in Chicago.
"This ICE operation will target the criminal illegal aliens who flocked to Chicago and Illinois because they knew Governor Pritzker and his sanctuary policies would protect them and allow them to roam free on American streets," a DHS spokesperson said on Monday.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Monday penned a guest essay in the New York Times on President Donald Trump's threat to send the National Guard to the city.
In it, he said doubling down on strategies that made this summer the safest since the 1960s would be more beneficial.
"For much of the last six decades, Chicago's leaders have pursued various 'tough on crime' strategies targeting guns, drugs and gangs. Despite the significant resources devoted to these strategies, sustained reductions in crime proved elusive," he said. "My administration has managed to make progress in crime reduction with three interconnected strategies: effective and law-abiding policing, violence prevention and addressing the root causes of crime."
Gov. JB Pritzker is reacting to a recent President Donald Trump post on social media, in which the president criticized violence in Chicago over the weekend.
"'I want to help people, not hurt them,' says the guy who just threatened an American city with the Department of War," Pritzker said on X Monday morning.
In a social media post, Trump criticized Pritzker for not requesting federal help for the state of Illinois.
"I want to help the people of Chicago, not hurt them," Trump said in the post. "Only Criminals will be hurt!"
On Monday, a group of interfaith leaders will rally in Chicago. They say instead of sending federal agents, President Donald Trump should focus on education and violence reduction programs.
The White House border czar says the use of National Guard troops to protect and support those operations is "on the table."
Inner City Muslim Action Network, Live Free Illinois, and New Life Centers are expected to gather a group of interfaith leaders on Monday.
They will rally at Daley Plaza starting at 10 a.m.
READ MORE | Faith leaders to rally against immigration crackdown in Chicago
